August 03, 2015

Recall of the Week: Chrysler vehicles due to hacking vulnerabilities

Photo: Bull-Doser

Chrysler is recalling about 1.4 million vehicles because their radios have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to networked vehicle control systems.

The recall affects vehicles with 8.4-inch touchscreens including 2013 to 2015 Ram pickups and chassis cabs and Dodge Viper sports cars. Also covered are 2014 and 2015 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee and Cherokee SUVs, as well as the 2015 Chrysler 200 and 300 and the Dodge Charger and Challenger.

Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability. Or, owners can download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for installation.

To help reduce the vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This may not have been carried out on all vehicles and doesn’t address access by other ways that will be remedied by the software update, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

The manufacturer hasn’t provided a notification schedule. Owners can contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.

Owners can also contact the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov.